A majority of Americans see the massive oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico as a major environmental disaster, but nearly as many voice optimism that efforts to control the spill will succeed.
The latest national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, conducted May 6-9 among 994 adults, finds that the public is critical of the response to the crisis by the federal government and British Petroleum, the company that operated the oil rig that exploded on April 20 and is now struggling to stop the underwater oil release.
Despite the major oil rig leak that continues to spew an estimated 5,000 barrels a day into the Gulf of Mexico, the majority of U.S. voters still support offshore oil drilling.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows 64% believe offshore oil drilling should be allowed, up from 58% earlier this month.
Twenty-one percent (21%) say offshore drilling should not be allowed, and another 15% are undecided.
However, most voters (67%) continue to be at least somewhat concerned that offshore drilling will cause environmental problems, including 33% who are Very Concerned. Thirty-two percent (32%) are not concerned about environmental problems caused by offshore drilling, including six percent (6%) who are Not At All Concerned.
PEW Research Center
Rasmussen Reports
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